The first presidential runoff will take place in Bolivia

• Rodrigo Paz became the leader with over 32% of the votes.
• The second round of elections will take place on January 19, 2025.
• The ruling party MAS risks losing power after 20 years of dominance.

In the presidential elections in Bolivia, which took place on September 17, 2025, the results indicate that no candidate has managed to secure the necessary majority to advance to the second round. It starts with the leader with over 32% of the votes being the senator from the centralist bloc Rodrigo Paz.

The second place with approximately 26% of the votes is held by the former president of the right-wing bloc Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga. The independent Samuel Doria Medina, who took first place in the preliminary surveys, claimed third place with less than 20% of the votes.

The ruling party "Movement for Socialism" (MAS) is losing its position and, it seems, it could lose power after nearly 20 years of dominance. The upcoming second round of elections, which will take place on January 19, will be unprecedented in the history of the country.

These elections are taking place against the backdrop of the largest economic crisis in the last 40 years. Experts note that the absence of the former leader Evo Morales, who could not run due to a constitutional court ruling, significantly influenced the elections. According to the latest data, the MAS candidate, Eduardo del Castillo, received only three times more than 3% of the votes.

Evo Morales, who closed his followers' votes for non-appearance, is currently staying in his political shelter in the tropical region of Chapare, avoiding arrest for being charged with sexual crimes during his time in office.

Tags: Politics